Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Tic Disorders/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

In view of the characteristics of H5N6 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)that it has both high pathogenicity and the risk of cross-species transmission,posing a serious threat to the poultry farming industry and public health security,in order to effectively prevent and control the spread of H5N6 avian influenza,a rapid,sensitive and specific detection technolo-gy was established in this study.The specific monoclonal antibodies against the neuraminidase N6 protein of avian influenza A virus subtype H5N6 were obtained through hybridoma and monoclonal antibody technology.These antibodies were coupled and labeled with carboxyl-functionalized fluorescent quantum dots,along with previously prepared specific antibodies against the hemagglutinin H5 protein.A rapid fluorescence immunochromatographic detection method for the H5N6 subtype of avian influ-enza virus was established according to the principle of double-antibody sandwich immunochromatography.This method a-chieved a detection sensitivity of 1 ng/mL for recombinant hemagglutinin H5 subtype protein and 0.1 ng/mL for recombinant neuraminidase N6 subtype protein.Moreover,the method exhibited no cross-reactivity with other influenza subtypes or patho-gens,such as Newcastle disease(ND),infectious bronchitis(IB),and infectious laryngotracheitis(ILT),thus demonstrating good specificity.The method effectively identified the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5 subtype and directly distin-guished the H5N6 subtype with good accuracy.The fluorescent quantum dot immunochromatographic typing detection method established herein met the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy requirements for H5N6 subtype detection,and can be further used for rapid detection of the H5 and H5N6 subtypes of avian influenza virus.

This study identified 8 members including NjBIN2 of the GSK3 family in Nardostachys jatamansi by bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, the phylogenetic tree revealed that the GKS3 family members of N. jatamansi had a close relationship with those of Arabidopsis. RT-qPCR results showed that NjBIN2 presented a tissue-specific expression pattern with the highest expression in roots, suggesting that NjBIN2 played a role in root growth and development. In addition, the application of epibrassinolide or the brassinosteroid(BR) synthesis inhibitor(brassinazole) altered the expression pattern of NjBIN2 and influenced the photomorphogenesis(cotyledon opening) and root development of N. jatamansi, which provided direct evidence about the functions of NjBIN2. In conclusion, this study highlights the roles of BIN2 in regulating the growth and development of N. jatamansi by analyzing the expression pattern and biological function of NjBIN2. It not only enriches the understanding about the regulatory mechanism of the growth and development of N. jatamansi but also provides a theoretical basis and potential gene targets for molecular breeding of N. jatamansi with improved quality in the future.
Brassinosteroids/metabolism* ; Steroids, Heterocyclic/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Nardostachys/metabolism* ; Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology* ; Plant Roots/drug effects*

Objective:To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of local anesthesia and spinal anesthesia for the patients with varicocele(VC)who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy(MV).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the data of VC patients who underwent MV treatment at the Andrology Department of the Affiliated Ruikang Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to March 2023.Cases with complete clinical data and follow-up evaluation were selected and divided into a control group(spinal anesthesia)and an observation group(local anesthesia)according to different anesthesia methods.The surgical time(including anesthesia time),visual analogue scale(VAS)score for pain,hospital stay,treatment cost,sperm concentration,for-ward motile sperm rate,and normal sperm morphology rate after three months of surgery,as well as postoperative complications and re-currence rate were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 107 eligible cases were included,with 56 cases in the con-trol group and 51 cases in the observation group.There was no significant difference in the VAS score for pain during and after four hours of surgery,as well as postoperative complications,and recurrence rate between the two groups(P＞0.05).There was an signif-icant increase in sperm concentration,forward motile sperm rate,and normal sperm morphology rate in both of two groups after three months of surgery(P＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference between the two groups three months after surgery(P＞0.05).The surgical time and hospital stay were shorter than those of the control group(P＜0.05).And the treatment cost in observa-tion group was lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Both local anesthesia and lumbar anesthesia for MV treatment of VC have good efficacy and safety.However,patients treated with MV under local anesthesia for VC have obvious advanta-ges in terms of operation time(including anesthesia time),hospital stay,and treatment cost,which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

In view of the characteristics of H5N6 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)that it has both high pathogenicity and the risk of cross-species transmission,posing a serious threat to the poultry farming industry and public health security,in order to effectively prevent and control the spread of H5N6 avian influenza,a rapid,sensitive and specific detection technolo-gy was established in this study.The specific monoclonal antibodies against the neuraminidase N6 protein of avian influenza A virus subtype H5N6 were obtained through hybridoma and monoclonal antibody technology.These antibodies were coupled and labeled with carboxyl-functionalized fluorescent quantum dots,along with previously prepared specific antibodies against the hemagglutinin H5 protein.A rapid fluorescence immunochromatographic detection method for the H5N6 subtype of avian influ-enza virus was established according to the principle of double-antibody sandwich immunochromatography.This method a-chieved a detection sensitivity of 1 ng/mL for recombinant hemagglutinin H5 subtype protein and 0.1 ng/mL for recombinant neuraminidase N6 subtype protein.Moreover,the method exhibited no cross-reactivity with other influenza subtypes or patho-gens,such as Newcastle disease(ND),infectious bronchitis(IB),and infectious laryngotracheitis(ILT),thus demonstrating good specificity.The method effectively identified the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5 subtype and directly distin-guished the H5N6 subtype with good accuracy.The fluorescent quantum dot immunochromatographic typing detection method established herein met the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy requirements for H5N6 subtype detection,and can be further used for rapid detection of the H5 and H5N6 subtypes of avian influenza virus.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia(T-ALL)in children and explore the prognostic risk factors.Methods:The clinical data of 127 newly diagnosed children with T-ALL admitted to five hospitals in Fujian province from April 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed,and compared with children with newly diagnosed acute precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL)in the same period.Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the overall survival(OS)and event-free survival(EFS),and COX proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the prognostic factors.Among 116 children with T-ALL who received standard treatment,78 cases received the Chinese Childhood Leukemia Collaborative Group(CCLG)-ALL 2008 protocol(CCLG-ALL 2008 group),and 38 cases received the China Childhood Cancer Collaborative Group(CCCG)-ALL 2015 protocol(CCCG-ALL 2015 group).The efficacy and serious adverse event(SAE)incidence of the two groups were compared.Results:Proportion of male,age ≥ 10 years old,white blood cell count(WBC)≥ 50 × 109/L,central nervous system leukemia,minimal residual disease(MRD)≥ 1％during induction therapy,and MRD ≥ 0.01％at the end of induction in T-ALL children were significantly higher than those in B-ALL children(P＜0.05).The expected 10-year EFS and OS of T-ALL were 59.7％and 66.0％,respectively,which were significantly lower than those of B-ALL(P＜0.001).COX analysis showed that WBC ≥ 100 x 109/L at initial diagnosis and failure to achieve complete remission(CR)after induction were independent risk factors for poor prognosis.Compared with CCLG-ALL 2008 group,CCCG-ALL 2015 group had lower incidence of infection-related SAE(15.8％vs 34.6％,P=0.042),but higher EFS and OS(73.9％vs 57.2％,PEFS=0.090;86.5％vs 62.3％,PoS=0.023).Conclusions:The prognosis of children with T-ALL is worse than children with B-ALL.WBC ≥ 100 × 109/L at initial diagnosis and non-CR after induction(especially mediastinal mass has not disappeared)are the risk factors for poor prognosis.CCCG-ALL 2015 regimen may reduce infection-related SAE and improve efficacy.

Objective To explore the clinical manifestations,endoscopic findings,histopathological changes,treatment,and prognosis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease(EGID)in children,with the aim of enhancing awareness among pediatricians about this condition.Methods Data of 267 children with EGID were prospectively collected from January 2019 to July 2022 at Jiangxi Children's Hospital,Hunan Children's Hospital,and Henan Children's Hospital.The age of onset,symptoms,physical signs,laboratory examination results,endoscopic findings,histopathological changes,and treatment outcomes were observed.Results Among the 267 children with EGID,the majority had mild(164 cases,61.4% )or moderate(96 cases,35.6% )clinical severity.The disease occurred at any age,with a higher prevalence observed in school-age children(178 cases).The main symptoms in infants were vomiting and hematemesis,while in toddlers,vomiting and bloody stools were prominent.Abdominal pain and vomiting were the primary symptoms in preschool and school-age children.Nearly half(49.4% )of the affected children showed elevated platelet counts on hematological examination,but there was no significant difference in platelet counts among children with mild,moderate,and severe EGID(P>0.05).Endoscopic findings in EGID children did not reveal significant specificity,and histopathological examination showed no specific structural damage.Among them,85.0% (227 cases)received acid suppression therapy,34.5% (92 cases)practiced dietary avoidance,20.9% (56 cases)received anti-allergic medication,and a small proportion(24 cases,9.0% )were treated with prednisone.Clinical symptoms were relieved in all patients after treatment,but three cases with peptic ulcers experienced recurrence after drug discontinuation.Conclusions Mild and moderate EGID are more common in children,with no specific endoscopic findings.Dietary avoidance,acid suppression therapy,and anti-allergic medication are the main treatment methods.The prognosis of EGID is generally favorable in children.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):139-144]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimlation (TEAS) on perioperative immune function and postoperative recovery in patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: From November 2021 to July 2022, 80 patients with unilateral TKA were selected and divided into TEAS group and sham TEAS group according to different treatment methods. There were 40 patients in TEAS group, including 9 males and 31 females;aged from 61 to 79 years old with an average of (66.90±5.86) years old;body mass index (BMI) ranged from 19.53 to 30.47 kg·m^-2 with an average of (25.34±2.83) kg·m^-2;21 patients on the left side, 19 patients on the right side;according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), 30 patients with gradeⅡ, 10 patients with grade Ⅲ;TEAS were administered at the bilateral Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6) and non-operative Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points from 30 min before anesthesia to the end of operation, the frequency was 2/10 Hz, current intensity was tolerable and/or muscle rhythmic twitches of limbs were performed. There were 40 patients in sham TEAS group, including 9 males and 31 females;aged from 60 to 80 years old with an average of (67.35±4.29) years old;27 patients on the left side and 13 patients on the right side;BMI ranged from 20.02 to 30.09 kg·m^-2 with an average of (25.02±2.23) kg·m^-2;28 patients with gradeⅡand 12 patients with grade Ⅲ according to ASA;Electrodes were attached to the same points without electrical stimulation. Percentage contents of 24 h CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and NK cells, postoperative infection, incidence of nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension and pruritus within 48 h after surgery, the first time on the ground, length of hospital stay and quality of recovery-15 (QoR-15) score were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Compared with pseudoteas group, expressions of CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes in TEAS group were significantly increased at 24 h after surgery (P<0.05). The incidence of nausea within 48 h after surgery and the time spent on the ground early after surgery were significantly decreased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative secondary infection, adverse reactions such as vomiting, abdominal distension, pruritus and hospitalization days (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation could improve perioperative cellular immunity in patients with total knee replacement, alleviate immunosuppression, reduce incidence of postoperative adverse reactions, and promote early postoperative recovery.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Acupuncture Points ; Postoperative Period ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methods* ; Recovery of Function

Redox-sensitive cysteine(RSC)thiol plays an important role in many biological processes such as photosynthesis,cellular metabolism,and transcription.Therefore,it is necessary to identify red-ox-sensitive cysteine accurately.However,traditional redox-sensitive cysteine identification is very ex-pensive and time-consuming.At present,there is an urgent need for a mathematical calculation method to identify sequence information and redox-sensitive cysteines quickly and accurately.Here,we devel-oped an effective predictor called iRSC-PseAAC,which used the dimension reduction algorithm LDA combined with the support vector machine to predict redox-sensitive cysteine sites.In the cross-validation results,the specificity(Sp),sensitivity(Sn),accuracy(Acc)and Matthews correlation coefficient(MCC)were 0.841,0.868,0.859 and 0.692 respectively.In the independent dataset results,the Sp,Sn,Acc and MCC were 0.906,0.882,0.890 and 0.767 respectively.compared with existing prediction methods,iRSC-PseAAC had obvious improvement effect.The method proposed for this study can also be used for many problems in computational proteomics.

Natural products are important sources for the discovery of anti-tumor drugs. Evodiamine is the main alkaloid component of the traditional Chinese herb Wu-Chu-Yu, and it has weak antitumor activity. In recent years, a number of highly active antitumor candidates have been discovered with a significant progress. This article reviews the research progress of evodiamine-based antitumor drug design strategies, in order to provide reference for the development of new drugs with natural products as leads.