Objective To understand the application effect of early screening scale and behavioral intervention effect in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods A total of 348 children with suspected ASD were selected and evaluated using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). The evaluation results were compared with those from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Children enrolled were given Early start Denver model (ESDM) intervention. The evaluation results of Gesell Developmental Scale and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) scores were compared before and after intervention. Results The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Kappa value of M-CHAT for evaluating ASD in children aged 1-3 years were 89.53%, 90.70%, 89.92% and 0.78. The corresponding values of ABC were 78.49%, 81.40%, 79.46% and 0.56. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Kappa value of M-CHAT for evaluating children aged >3-6 years were 87.30%, 77.78%, 84.44% and 0.64. The corresponding values of ABC were 85.71%, 77.78%, 83.33% and 0.62. The sensitivity and accuracy of M-CHAT were higher than ABC for evaluating ASD in children aged 1-3 years (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between M-CHAT and ABC for evaluating ASD in children aged 3-6 years (P>0.05). After intervention, development quotients (DQ) of personal-social aspects, adaptability, language, gross motor, and fine motor of children with ASD were higher than those before intervention (P<0.05). ATEC scores for language, behavior, sensation, and social contact of children with ASD were lower than those before intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion M-CHAT and ABC both can be used for early screening of ASD in children, especially M-CHAT. Early behavioral intervention can effectively improve the condition and developmental level of children with ASD.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture with yin-yang regulation method versus local acupuncture in treating chronic low back pain (CLBP) in elderly patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and to evaluate the changes in the multifidus muscle before and after treatment using musculoskeletal ultrasound. METHODS: A total of 128 elderly patients with CLBP due to LDH were randomly assigned to an observation group (64 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (64 cases, 2 cases dropped out). The control group received local acupuncture at bilateral L₃-L₅ Jiaji points (EX-B2), Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25), Weizhong (BL40), Yaoyangguan (GV3), and ashi points. The observation group received acupuncture with yin-yang regulation method, which included an abdominal protocol with Baihui (GV20), Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Tianshu (ST25), and Dahe (KI12), etc., and a lumbar protocol with Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), Jizhong (GV6), Yaoyangguan (GV3), and ashi points, etc., alternated bilaterally. Both groups were treated once every other day, three times per week, for a total of 12 sessions. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, and the indexs of musculoskeletal ultrasound multifidus muscle (resting and functional thickness and Young's modulus values) were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After 1 and 4 weeks of treatment, both groups showed lower VAS scores compared to baseline (P<0.05), the VAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001). ODI scores in both groups were decreased after 1 and 4 weeks of treatment compared to baseline (P<0.05), with a further reduction at 4 weeks of treatment compared to 1 week of treatment (P<0.05); the observation group showed lower ODI score than the control group after 1 week of treatment (P<0.001). After treatment, both groups demonstrated increased resting and functional multifidus muscle thickness bilaterally compared to baseline (P<0.01), with an increased right-side thickness change rate (P<0.01), though no significant difference was observed between groups (P>0.05). Compared to baseline, after treatment, the observation group exhibited decreased Young's modulus values for bilateral resting and functional multifidus muscle (P<0.01), while the control group showed reductions only in bilateral resting and right-side functional Young's modulus values (P<0.01). After treatment, the bilateral functional Young's modulus values in the observation group were lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the bilateral resting and functional changes in Young's modulus values were greater in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.01). The overall effective rate was 93.5% (58/62) in the observation group, which was higher than 79.0% (49/62) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture with yin-yang regulation method effectively alleviates pain, improves functional disability, increases multifidus muscle thickness, and reduces Young's modulus values in elderly patients with CLBP due to LDH, which has superior therapeutic effect compared to local acupuncture.
Humans ; Low Back Pain/physiopathology* ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Yin-Yang ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome

Based on the theory of "three regions and sanjiao" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the acupuncture-moxibustion differentiation and treatment system is explored and constructed for spasm syndrome, so as to provide a clearer guiding framework for TCM treatment of spasm syndrome. This disorder is caused essentially by the invasion of pathogenic wind, and located in brain marrow. The key regions of illness cover five zang organs and five tissues, and the core pathogenesis is associated with wind disturbance in brain marrow. In differentiation, spasm syndrome refers to overall transmission (from the upper to the lower) and local transmission (from exterior to interior). This disorder can be classified into sanjiao spasm (heart-lung spasm of the upper jiao, liver-spleen spasm of the middle jiao, and liver-kidney spasm of the lower jiao) and three-region spasm (skin-vessel spasm of the upper region, tendon-muscle spasm of the middle region, and tendon-bone spasm of the lower region). Based on "three regions and sanjiao" theory of acupuncture and moxibustion, 7 "expelling-wind" points can be selected in terms of the etiology of this disease. Baihui (GV20)-toward-Taiyang (EX-HN5) needling is applied to regulate the brain marrow, focusing on the core location of illness; and regarding the key location of illness, the combination of back-shu and front-mu points and that of jing-well and xing-spring points are adopted to regulate five zang organs. The five needling techniques (half needling, leopard-spot needling, joint needling, Hegu needling and shu needling) are used to regulate five tissues.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Spasm/diagnosis* ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Points ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Diagnosis, Differential

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a deadly condition of the aorta, carrying a significant risk of death upon rupture. Currently, there is a dearth of efficacious pharmaceutical interventions to impede the advancement of AAA and avert it from rupturing. Here, we investigated dihydromyricetin (DHM), one of the predominant bioactive flavonoids in Ampelopsis grossedentata (A. grossedentata), as a potential agent for inhibiting AAA. DHM effectively blocked the formation of AAA in angiotensin II-infused apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice. A combination of network pharmacology and whole transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that DHM's anti-AAA action is linked to heme oxygenase (HO)-1 (Hmox-1 for the rodent gene) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Remarkably, DHM caused a robust rise (∼10-fold) of HO-1 protein expression in VSMCs, thereby suppressing VSMC inflammation and oxidative stress and preserving the VSMC contractile phenotype. Intriguingly, the therapeutic effect of DHM on AAA was largely abrogated by VSMC-specific Hmox1 knockdown in mice. Mechanistically, on one hand, DHM increased the transcription of Hmox-1 by triggering the nuclear translocation and activation of HIF-1α, but not nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). On the other hand, molecular docking, combined with cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and site mutant experiments revealed that DHM bonded to HO-1 at Lys243 and prevented its degradation, thereby resulting in considerable HO-1 buildup. In summary, our findings suggest that naturally derived DHM has the capacity to markedly enhance HO-1 expression in VSMCs, which may hold promise as a therapeutic strategy for AAA.

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

The prevalence of Class III malocclusion varies among different countries and regions. The populations from Southeast Asian countries (Chinese and Malaysian) showed the highest prevalence rate of 15.8%, which can seriously affect oral function, facial appearance, and mental health. As anterior crossbite tends to worsen with growth, early orthodontic treatment can harness growth potential to normalize maxillofacial development or reduce skeletal malformation severity, thereby reducing the difficulty and shortening the treatment cycle of later-stage treatment. This is beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children. Therefore, early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion is particularly important. Determining the optimal timing for early orthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, dental age, and skeletal age, and can lead to better results with less effort. Currently, standardized treatment guidelines for early orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion are lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, and early orthodontic techniques for Class III malocclusion, along with systematic discussions on selecting early treatment plans. The purpose of this expert consensus is to standardize clinical practices and improve the treatment outcomes of Class III malocclusion through early orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III/classification* ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Consensus ; Child

Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of injectable modified sodium hyaluronate gel DX23 in filling and treating midface depression.Methods:A prospective, randomized, multicenter, "no treatment" controlled study was conducted. Patients with midface depression who were treated from March 2019 to February 2021 at Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and Jining First People’s Hospital were enrolled. Patients were randomized using a stratified block randomization method with a random function list. The experimental group received injectable modified sodium hyaluronate gel DX23 to treat midface depression. The concentration of sodium hyaluronate in DX23 was 23 mg/ml. The syringe was inserted perpendicularly to the skin at a 90-degree angle, and the injection layers were the superficial periosteum or the subcutaneous layer. The injection volume ranged from 1 to 6 ml. The control group received no treatment. The upper boundary of the midface extended outward from the zygomatic arch to the upper margin of the helix and inward to the line connecting the outer canthus. The lower boundary was the line connecting the corner of the mouth to the earlobe. Researchers used the midface aesthetic scales (MAS) response rate at 6 months post-injection as the primary indicator to evaluate the efficacy in improving the severity of midface depression. A reduction of 1 point in the MAS score compared to pre-treatment was considered a response, i. e., effective. Secondary indicators included the MAS response rates at 6 and 12 months after the last treatment (MAS response rate=number of MAS responders/total cases × 100%), the average change in three-dimensional midface volume images, the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) response rate, patient satisfaction regarding the degree of improvement in midface volume, and monitoring of adverse reactions. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0, SAS 9.04, and StataIC 15.0 software. The full analysis set (FAS) and the per-protocol set (PPS) were selected for analysis. Inferential analysis used t-tests and chi-square tests, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 164 patients were enrolled. The experimental group included 134 patients (7 males and 127 females) with an average age of 43.0±9.7 years (ranging from 21.6 to 66.6 years). The control group included 30 patients (5 males and 25 females) with an average age of 39.3±11.1 years (ranging from 25.6 to 43.5 years). The experimental group received bilateral midface depression filling, with an initial use of injectable modified sodium hyaluronate gel DX23 at a volume of (4.07±1.28) ml. In the experimental group, 3 cases were lost to follow-up at 30 days, 2 cases at 60 days, and 10 cases were excluded due to protocol violations. Fifteen patients entered FAS but not PPS. Ultimately, 119 patients completed the trial. The MAS response rates in the experimental group at 6 and 12 months post-treatment were 94.96% (113/119) and 56.30% (67/119), respectively. The control group’s MAS response rate at 6 months was 3.33% (1/30). At the 6-month follow-up post-treatment, the GAIS response rates evaluated by researchers and patients in the experimental group were 97.48% (116/119) (PPS) and 97.69% (27/30) (FAS), respectively. In the control group, the GAIS response rate evaluated by researchers was 3.33% (1/30) (FAS, PPS), and the patient GAIS response rate was 0% (0/30) (FAS, PPS). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in both researcher and patient GAIS response rates (both P<0.01). At 6 months post-injection, comparisons of midface volume changes from baseline between the experimental and control groups showed statistically significant differences [(1.65±1.40) ml (PPS) vs. (0.12±0.85) ml; (1.55±1.44) ml (FAS) vs. (0.12±0.85) ml; both P<0.001]. At the 6-month follow-up in the experimental group, 1 case was lost to follow-up. In the PPS, 81 patients were "satisfied, " 34 were "very satisfied, " and 3 were "neutral." In the control group, 29 patients were "neutral, " and 1 was "dissatisfied." A total of 128 patients in the experimental group experienced injection site reactions, including swelling, hardness, tenderness, pain, lumps (protrusions), and bruising. Over 75% of patients resolved spontaneously within 8 days. Three cases received hot compress treatment and resolved within 28 days. One case experienced swelling of the left lower eyelid 1 day after injection, which resolved after local compression for 3 months. In the control group, 1 case developed circulatory ischemia and carotid atherosclerosis 12 months after the trial began. Conclusion:Injectable modified sodium hyaluronate gel DX23 corrects midface depression through local volume augmentation and is characterized by safety and durability.

Objective:To investigate the perioperative adverse events and complications of flow-diverter devices in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical and imaging data of 174 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with flow-diverter devices in the Department of Neurointervention, Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center of Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 63 males and 111 females, with an age of (53.9±11.4) years (range:23 to 76 years).The occurrence, development and outcome of perioperative complications and related adverse events during treatment were collected and analyzed. The degree of aneurysm embolization was evaluated using the O′Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading system,with OKM grade C and D as successful occlusion.Results:A total of 187 flow-diverter devices (from 7 different brands) were implanted in 174 patients (with 294 aneurysms). Of these, 151 cases involved standalone stent embolization, 26 cases involved stent embolization combined with coil assistance, and 5 cases involved the use of two flow-diverter devices simultaneously. Twenty-nine cases (16.7%,29/174) suffered intraoperative adverse events, including 10 cases of poor stents deployment, 3 cases of stents migration into the aneurysm sac, 1 cases of abnormal guidewire movement, 4 cases of ischemic events. Complications occurred in 10 patients (5.7%, 10/174), and neurological deficits occurred in 5 patients (2.9%, 5/174). A total of 129 patients completed follow-up for more than 12 months after surgery. There were 117 aneurysms with OKM grade D and 22 with OKM grade C, showing a satisfactory healing rate of 77.7% (139/179).Conclusion:The effect of flow-diverter devices in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is satisfactory, but complications and adverse events cannot be ignored, especially the relatively high incidence of perioperative adverse events, which requires neurointerventional physicians to be vigilant.