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

Schizophrenia (SZ) stands as a severe psychiatric disorder. This study applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data in conjunction with graph neural networks to distinguish SZ patients from normal controls (NCs) and showcases the superior performance of a graph neural network integrating combined fractional anisotropy and fiber number brain network features, achieving an accuracy of 73.79% in distinguishing SZ patients from NCs. Beyond mere discrimination, our study delved deeper into the advantages of utilizing white matter brain network features for identifying SZ patients through interpretable model analysis and gene expression analysis. These analyses uncovered intricate interrelationships between brain imaging markers and genetic biomarkers, providing novel insights into the neuropathological basis of SZ. In summary, our findings underscore the potential of graph neural networks applied to multimodal DTI data for enhancing SZ detection through an integrated analysis of neuroimaging and genetic features.
Humans ; Schizophrenia/pathology* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Brain/metabolism* ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; White Matter/pathology* ; Gene Expression ; Nerve Net/diagnostic imaging* ; Graph Neural Networks

Objective To investigate the mechanism of effects of histone deacetylase 3(HDAC3)on re-nal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)by regulating CIC-5.Methods A UUO mouse model was constructed,and intervention was performed on the expression of HDAC3 and CIC-5 in mice.A UUO mouse model was constructed and the mice were divided into the following groups:sham-operated group(Sham group),UUO group(UUO model mice without any treatment),sh-NC group(UUO model mice injec-ted with sh-NC via tail vein),sh-HDAC3 group(UUO model mice injected with sh-HDAC3 via tail vein),HDAC3 overexpression group(UUO model mice injected with HDAC3 overexpression vector via tail vein),and HDAC3+CIC-5 overexpression group(UUO model mice injected with HDAC3 and CIC-5 overexpression vectors via tail vein),with 5 mice in each group.Intervention was performed on the expression of HDAC3 and CIC-5 in the mice.HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the pathological changes of mouse kidney tissue.The expression of renal fibrosis markers(α-SMA,Collagen-Ⅰ,MMP2)in mouse kidney tissue was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The levels of blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and creatinine(Cr)in the serum of mice were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer.Results UUO mice showed obvious renal tissue damage and increased fibrosis.The mRNA and protein expression levels of CIC-5 in the renal tis-sue of the UUO group were lower than those in the Sham group,while the mRNA and protein expression lev-els of HDAC3 were higher(P<0.05).The BUN,Cr levels,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA,Collagen-I,and MMP2 were higher in the UUO group than in the Sham group(P<0.05).The BUN,Cr levels,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA,Collegan-Ⅰ,and MMP2 were lower in the sh-HDAC3 group than in the sh-NC group(P<0.05).The BUN,Cr levels,and the mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of α-SMA,Collegan-Ⅰ,and MMP2 were higher in the HDAC3 group than in the Sham group and UUO group(P<0.05).The BUN,Cr levels,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA,Col-legan-Ⅰ,and MMP2 were lower in the HDAC3+CIC-5 group than in the HDAC3 group(P<0.05).Conclu-sion HDAC3 inhibits the expression of CIC-5 by regulating its acetylation,thereby promoting renal fibrosis in UUO mice.Inhibiting the expression of HDAC3 is expected to be an effective way to improve UUO renal fibrosis.

Objective To analyze the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D[25(OH)D]levels and vitamin D nutri-tional status of 0-14 years old children in Hangzhou,and to provide scientific basis for the prevention of vita-min D deficiency.Methods A total of 26 225 healthy children aged 0 to 14 who were tested in Hangzhou Dian Medical Diagnosis Center from January 1,2021 to December 31,2023 were selected as the study objects.The 25(OH)D levels were detected by direct chemiluminescence method,and the 25(OH)D levels and vitamin D nutritional status of children with different genders,ages and seasons were analyzed and compared.Results The level of 25(OH)D in girls was slightly higher than that in boys,and the difference was statisti-cally significant(P＜0.05).With the increase of age,the level of 25(OH)D continued to decline,and the pro-portion of vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency gradually increased.The level of 25(OH)D was the highest in children＜3 years old and the lowest in children 10-14 years old.There was statistical significance in the proportion of vitamin D nutritional status between boys and girls aged 10 to 14(P＜0.05).In the four seasons,children's 25(OH)D level is the highest in spring and the lowest in summer.The difference of 25(OH)D level and vitamin D nutritional status in different seasons was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The proportion of vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency in winter was higher than that in other seasons,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The nutritional status of vitamin D in 0-14 year old children in Hangzhou is good,but the importance of vitamin D supplementation for children should not be ignored,and active publicity and education should be carried out to prevent vitamin D deficiency.

Objective To explore the efficacy of Yishen Yangyin Gujing Prescription[derived from Zuogui Wan(Bolus for Replenishing Kidney-Yin)]for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)with qi and yin deficiency syndrome,and to observe its effects on inflammatory responses,pancreatic β-cell function and renal function.Methods A total of 162 T2DM patients with diabetic nephropathy of qi and yin deficiency syndrome who admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to July 2023 were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 81 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional western medicine treatment for lowering blood pressure and renal protection,while the observation group was treated with Yishen Yangyin Gujing Prescription on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 12 weeks.Before and after the treatment,the changes in the outcomes of the two groups were observed,and the outcomes included the total scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome,insulin sensitivity index,insulin secretion index,24-h urine total protein quantification(24hUTP),and serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),fasting insulin(FINS),fasting blood glucose(FBG),serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),NLRP3 inflammasome,interleukin 6(IL-6),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups of patients was compared.Results(1)After 12-week treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 93.83%(76/81),and that of the control group was 83.95%(68/81).The intergroup comparison showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(χ2=9.163,P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the insulin sensitivity index and insulin secretion index in the two groups of patients were increased(P<0.05)and the total scores of TCM syndromes were decreased(P<0.05)when compared with those before treatment,and the increase of insulin sensitivity index and insulin secretion index as well as the decrease of the total scores of TCM syndrome in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the serum levels of HbA1c,FINS,FBG,SCr,BUN and 24hUTP in the two groups of patients were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of the above indicators in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the serum TGF-β1,IL-6,and NLRP3 inflammasome levels in the two groups of patients were decreased(P<0.05)and the serum S1P and SOD levels were increased(P<0.05)when compared with those before treatment,and the decrease of serum TGF-β1,IL-6,and NLRP3 inflammasome levels as well as the increase of serum S1P and SOD levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion For T2DM patients with diabetic nephropathy of qi and yin deficiency syndrome,the combined use of western medicine and Yishen Yangyin Gujing Prescription treatment is helpful to alleviate inflammatory response,improve the function of pancreatic β-cells,regulate the blood glucose level,improve renal function,and enhance the clinical efficacy.

OBJECTIVE To observe the efficacy and safety of goserelin combined with estradiol valerate in the treatment of endometriosis （EMs） in patients of childbearing age after laparoscopic surgery. METHODS The clinical data of 144 patients with EMs of childbearing age who underwent laparoscopic surgery in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were collected retrospectively， and those patients were divided into control group （70 cases） and combination group （74 cases） based on different postoperative medication regimens. Control group was given Acetate goserelin sustained-release implant on the 1st to 5th day of their first menstrual cycle after laparoscopic surgery， while combination group was additionally given Estradiol valerate tablets on the basis of control group. The short-term and long-term efficacy of 2 groups were observed； preoperative and postoperative pain scores， ovarian reserve function， and the incidence of adverse reactions were all recorded in 2 groups. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in short-term total effective rate， 1-year postoperative recurrence rate and the incidence of decreased libido， vaginal dryness， gastrointestinal reactions， rash， or arrhythmia between two groups （P＞0.05）. The natural pregnancy rate of combination group was significantly higher than control group at 1 year after surgery， while the incidence E-mail：wanghuiling0518@126.com of early miscarriage， hot flashes and sweating， emotional fluctuations， insomnia and fatigue， joint muscle pain， dizziness and headache were significantly lower than control group （P＜0.05）. However， at 6 months after surgery， pain scores and the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone， follicle stimulating hormone， luteinizing hormone， estradiol of both groups were significantly lower than before surgery in the same group， while the number of antral follicle count was significantly higher than before surgery in the same group； the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone， luteinizing hormone， estradiol， and the number of antral follicles in the combination group were significantly higher than control group， while pain score and follicle stimulating hormone level were significantly lower than control group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The combination of goserelin and estradiol valerate after laparoscopic surgery has a significant therapeutic effect and good safety in the treatment of EMs of childbearing age.

Objective: To elucidate the differences in manual acupuncture effectiveness at sensitized points by investigating the mechanisms of local skin action at different sensitization points in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: Forty Sprague–Dawley rats were equally divided into control, model (1 mg of monoiodoacetate into the right knee joint cavity), sham operation, manual acupuncture at right Tianjing acupoint (MAR-SJ 10), and left SJ 10 groups. Safranine-O and fast green staining were used to assess the modeling. The morphological and functional changes in mast cells (MCs) were assessed during acupoint sensitization using toluidine blue and immunofluorescence staining. The levels of serotonin, histamine, substance P (SP), and tryptase at skin acupoints and serum levels of IL-β, IL-6, and TNF-α were detected using ELISA. Results: After 14 days of treatment, the number of MCs and their degranulation rates were statistically higher in the model group than in the control group (both P < .001). After applying acupuncture, the levels of 5-HT, HA, and SP at skin acupoints were lower than those in the model group (all P < .05), and tryptase level was higher (both P < .05). Tryptase level was higher on the skin at the MAL-SJ 10 acupoint than that on the MAR-SJ 10 acupoint (P = .004). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the MAR-SJ 10 and MAL-SJ 10 groups were lower (all P < .05). Conclusion Acupuncture at KOA-sensitized acupoints mitigates joint injury in KOA rats and may bidirectionally regulate local MCs of these acupoints. This finding not only enhances the reference value of sensitizing points in clinical diagnosis and treatment, but also contributes to the understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying acupuncture intervention at sensitizing points.

Objective:To search, evaluate and summarize the best evidence summary of perioperative accelerated rehabilitation nursing for patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty, so as to provide reference for clinical perioperative nursing.Methods:Evidence-based nursing methods were used to search for relevant databases such as BMJ Best Practice, UpToDate, PubMed, CINAHL, and CNKI, etc.. The search period was from December 2010 to December 2022. Four researchers independently evaluated the quality of the guidelines, and two researchers independently evaluated the quality of expert consensus and system evaluation. Finally, the included literature was summarized.Results:A total of 12 pieces of literature, 3 guidelines, 5 expert consensus and 4 systematic reviews were included. From 13 aspects of preoperative education, preoperative optimization, anesthesia management, perioperative blood management, perioperative pain management, perioperative fluid management, perioperative temperature protection, infection prevention, thrombus prevention, postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative drainage, functional exercise, and perioperative rehabilitation promotion, 35 pieces of the best evidence for hip and knee replacement patients to accelerate rehabilitation nursing in the perioperative period was summarized.Conclusions:This study summarizes the best evidence of accelerated rehabilitation nursing in the perioperative period of hip and knee arthroplasty, aiming to build and standardize the accelerated rehabilitation nursing scheme in the perioperative period of hip and knee arthroplasty, so as to provide reference for clinical perioperative nursing.

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies found that adding barium sulfate could improve the mechanical and radiopaque properties of calcium phosphate cement.However,with the degradation of calcium phosphate,the remaining radiopaque agent is difficult to degrade,and the space-occupying and osteoclast effects at the implantation site affect the bone repair process.Therefore,it is necessary to develop a new biodegradable radiopaque material. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the radiopaque ability of bioactive degradable material strontium polyphosphate(SrPP)and its impact on the physicochemical properties and osteogenic effect of calcium phosphate cement. METHODS:(1)Calcium phosphate cement(CPC),starch modified calcium phosphate cement(CPS)and starch modified calcium phosphate cement(20%SrPP-CPN)containing SrPP(20%mass fraction of bone cement powder)were prepared respectively,and the physicochemical properties of the three groups of bone cements were characterized.(2)The three groups of bone cement extracts were co-cultured with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,respectively,to detect cell proliferation,energy metabolism,and osteogenic differentiation.(3)Bone defects with a diameter of 5 mm were made on each side of the top of the skull of 24 SD rats,and they were randomly divided into control group(without any intervention),CPC group,CPS group,and 20%SrPP-CPN group for intervention,with 6 rats in each group.Relevant tests were performed after 4 and 12 weeks of intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the other two groups of bone cement,20%SrPP-CPN had enhanced radiopaque ability,increased compressive strength and degradation rate,and prolonged curing time,and 20%SrPP-CPN could release Sr2+ stably during degradation.(2)CCK-8 assay showed that 20%SrPP-CPN did not affect the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Cell starvation test(serum-free culture)showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.Compared with the other two groups of bone cements,20%SrPP-CPN increased adenosine triphosphate concentration in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.(3)In the rat skull defect experiment,Micro-CT scanning and histological observation(hematoxylin-eosin and Masson stainings)showed that bone cement in 20%SrPP-CPN group was significantly degraded compared with that in CPC and CPS groups,and a large number of new bone tissues were dispersed in degraded bone cement.Immunohistochemical staining showed that Runx2 protein expression was increased in 20%SrPP-CPN group compared with CPC group and CPS group(P＜0.01).(4)These results show that 20%SrPP-CPN has good radiopaque ability and osteogenic properties.