Objective:To study the effects of epidermal growth factor(EGF)on the coordinated motor behaviors and changes of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system under the impact of EGF in middle-aged rats.Methods:Healthy aged Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were subcutaneously administered EGF(0.1 mg/ml)in the dorsal region for 7 days.Adhe-sive removal test,tapered beam walking test and descending a wire mesh pole test were performed to detect the changes in the coordinated motor behaviors of rats as well as changes in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and dopa-mine transporter(DAT)of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in rats.Results:Middle-aged rats showed reduced behav-ioral parameters of adhesive removal test,tapered beam walking test and descending a wire mesh pole test compared with those of adult rats(P<0.05),which were improved after treatment with EGF(P<0.05).The expression of TH and DAT in nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was down-regulated in middle-aged rats compared with that in adult rats(P<0.01),however,which were up-regulated after treatment with EGF(P<0.01).Conclusion:EGF can amelio-rate the decline in coordinated motor behaviors and increases the activity of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in middle-aged rats.

Purpose: This research observed the efficacy and safety of soft tissue expansion combined with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in repairing second-degree scald scars. Methods: This study conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four patients with deep second-degree scald scars were evenly divided into the control and observation groups. The control group was treated with soft tissue expansion, and the observation group was additionally treated with rhEGF. The skin expansion and wound healing times were compared. The changes in wound exudate and inflammation around the wound were observed after first-stage surgery. The hydroxyproline (OHP) and collagen I/III ratios were compared during the second stage of surgery.The complications and repair effects during treatment were evaluated. Results: The observation group exhibited lower expansion time, immediate retraction rate, and wound healing time, higher skin expansion rate, higher wound exudate score and inflammation score, higher OHP, lower collagen I/III, lower complication rate, and higher total effective rate than the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Skin soft tissue expansion combined with rhEGF is more effective in repairing second-degree scald scars, which can effectively increase skin expansion area and reduce wound infection and complications.

Purpose: This research observed the efficacy and safety of soft tissue expansion combined with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in repairing second-degree scald scars. Methods: This study conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four patients with deep second-degree scald scars were evenly divided into the control and observation groups. The control group was treated with soft tissue expansion, and the observation group was additionally treated with rhEGF. The skin expansion and wound healing times were compared. The changes in wound exudate and inflammation around the wound were observed after first-stage surgery. The hydroxyproline (OHP) and collagen I/III ratios were compared during the second stage of surgery.The complications and repair effects during treatment were evaluated. Results: The observation group exhibited lower expansion time, immediate retraction rate, and wound healing time, higher skin expansion rate, higher wound exudate score and inflammation score, higher OHP, lower collagen I/III, lower complication rate, and higher total effective rate than the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Skin soft tissue expansion combined with rhEGF is more effective in repairing second-degree scald scars, which can effectively increase skin expansion area and reduce wound infection and complications.

Purpose: This research observed the efficacy and safety of soft tissue expansion combined with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in repairing second-degree scald scars. Methods: This study conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four patients with deep second-degree scald scars were evenly divided into the control and observation groups. The control group was treated with soft tissue expansion, and the observation group was additionally treated with rhEGF. The skin expansion and wound healing times were compared. The changes in wound exudate and inflammation around the wound were observed after first-stage surgery. The hydroxyproline (OHP) and collagen I/III ratios were compared during the second stage of surgery.The complications and repair effects during treatment were evaluated. Results: The observation group exhibited lower expansion time, immediate retraction rate, and wound healing time, higher skin expansion rate, higher wound exudate score and inflammation score, higher OHP, lower collagen I/III, lower complication rate, and higher total effective rate than the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Skin soft tissue expansion combined with rhEGF is more effective in repairing second-degree scald scars, which can effectively increase skin expansion area and reduce wound infection and complications.

Major depressive disorder is a prevalent and debilitating mental disorder worldwide. Suicidal ideation and behavior represent a severe clinical manifestation closely associated with high mortality and disease burden. Current antidepressants have a delayed onset of action and fail to address the urgent need for rapid symptom relief in patients with major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation or behavior (MDSI). The glutamatergic antidepressant esketamine has demonstrated rapid antidepressant efficacy and a tolerable safety profile in patients with MDSI in multiple clinical trials, making it a promising therapeutic option. Esketamine is a non-selective, non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In 2023, the nasal spray formulation was approved in China for use in combination with oral antidepressants to alleviate depressive symptoms in adults with MDSI. This review summarizes the latest clinical research progress on esketamine nasal spray for MDSI, providing evidence-based guidance for psychiatrists in clinical decision-making.

Objective:To study the effects of epidermal growth factor(EGF)on the coordinated motor behaviors and changes of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system under the impact of EGF in middle-aged rats.Methods:Healthy aged Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were subcutaneously administered EGF(0.1 mg/ml)in the dorsal region for 7 days.Adhe-sive removal test,tapered beam walking test and descending a wire mesh pole test were performed to detect the changes in the coordinated motor behaviors of rats as well as changes in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and dopa-mine transporter(DAT)of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in rats.Results:Middle-aged rats showed reduced behav-ioral parameters of adhesive removal test,tapered beam walking test and descending a wire mesh pole test compared with those of adult rats(P<0.05),which were improved after treatment with EGF(P<0.05).The expression of TH and DAT in nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was down-regulated in middle-aged rats compared with that in adult rats(P<0.01),however,which were up-regulated after treatment with EGF(P<0.01).Conclusion:EGF can amelio-rate the decline in coordinated motor behaviors and increases the activity of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in middle-aged rats.

Major depressive disorder is a prevalent and debilitating mental disorder worldwide. Suicidal ideation and behavior represent a severe clinical manifestation closely associated with high mortality and disease burden. Current antidepressants have a delayed onset of action and fail to address the urgent need for rapid symptom relief in patients with major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation or behavior (MDSI). The glutamatergic antidepressant esketamine has demonstrated rapid antidepressant efficacy and a tolerable safety profile in patients with MDSI in multiple clinical trials, making it a promising therapeutic option. Esketamine is a non-selective, non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In 2023, the nasal spray formulation was approved in China for use in combination with oral antidepressants to alleviate depressive symptoms in adults with MDSI. This review summarizes the latest clinical research progress on esketamine nasal spray for MDSI, providing evidence-based guidance for psychiatrists in clinical decision-making.

Objective:To analyze the genetic variations and clinical phenotypic characteristics of epilepsy associated with CSNK2B gene mutations. Methods:A case series summary study.Clinical data of 15 epileptic children with CSNK2B gene mutations diagnosed and treated at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and the Peking University First Hospital from February 2016 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical manifestations, genotypes, and electroencephalography (EEG) results were summarized. Results:Among the 15 children (8 boys and 7 girls), 14 cases had de novo mutations in the CSNK2B gene, and 1 case had hereditary variations.There were 5 missense variants, 4 splice-site variants, 3 frameshift variants, and 3 nonsense variants.Ten mutation sites had not been previously reported (c.326G>A/p.Cys109Tyr, c.485A>G/p.His162Arg, c.368-1G>A, c.464A>C/p.Asp155Ala, c.301T>G/p.Tyr101Asp, c.342T>A/p.Cys114*, c.198del/p.Asn67Thrfs*5, c.292-10T>G, c.573-574del/p.Lys191Asnfs*54, and c. 11C>G/p.Ser4*).The age of onset of seizures ranged from 14 days to 6 years, with 13 cases starting within 2 years old.The types of seizures included focal seizures in 9 cases, generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) in 5 cases, myoclonic seizures in 1 case, atonic seizures in 1 case, atypical absence seizures in 1 case, and epileptic seizures in 1 case.Three cases had multiple seizures, and 4 cases had cluster seizures.The EEG showed slow background activity in 1 case.Epileptiform discharges were observed in 13 cases during the interictal phase, including generalized discharges in 6 cases, multifocal discharges in 3 cases, and focal discharges in 5 cases.Two cases had normal EEG findings.Brain magnetic resonance imaging results were normal in 10 cases.The age of the last follow-up ranged from 1 year and 1 month to 13 years and 10 months.Seizures were controlled in 12 cases treated with 1 or 2 antiepileptic drugs, while seizures persisted in 2 cases treated with multiple antiepileptic drugs, and 1 case suffered no seizures for 1 year and 3 months, without antiepileptic drug treatment.Oxcarbazepine was effective in 5 cases (5/7), Valproate sodium was effective in 6 cases (6/8), and Levetiracetam was effective in 3 cases (3/9). Conclusions:CSNK2B gene mutations are mainly de novo mutations, and epilepsy triggered by them typically starts within 2 years of age.GTCS and focal seizures are the most common types.The seizures of most children are easily controlled with the effective treatment of Oxcarbazepine, Valproate sodium, and Levetiracetam.

Objective:To explore the effect and safety of mesenchymal stem cell exosome microneedle introduction in the treatment of melasma.Methods:Thirty cases of female patients with stable melasma in the Department of Dermatology, Changsha Meilai Medical Beauty Hospital, aged (36±5) years and with a disease duration of (42.4±20.7) months, from July 2021 to July 2022, were retrospectively included. According to Fitzpatrick skin typing, 23 cases of type Ⅲ and 7 cases of type Ⅳ were included. All patients were locally anesthetized with lidocaine cream for 30 min, and rolled with a 0.5 mm needle in a zigzag pattern with even force, in the order of the right cheek, the left cheek, the forehead, the nose, the mandible, and the upper lip. During the rolling process, 3 ml of MSC exosome medical liquid wound dressing was applied to the facial skin, and after it was fully absorbed, exosome was locally readministered in the area of melasma. Treatment ended with a slight redness at the site of application. 1 MSC exosome wound dressing was appllied as a cold compress for 15 min after treatment. Treatment was given once every 2 weeks for 6 consecutive sessions. All the patients were followed up at 4 and 12 weeks after the last session, and the area and severity index of melasma (MASI) were scored before and after the treatment, the clinical efficiency and patient satisfaction rate and the incidence of adverse reactions were also counted.Results:At 4 and 12 weeks after the end of treatment, the skin color of all 30 patients was brighter than that before treatment, and no recurrence of melasma symptoms seen. At 12 weeks after the end of treatment, the decrease rate of MASI score was 66.1%, among which the decrease rate of MASI score in patients with type Ⅲ melasma was 63.9%, and the decrease rate of MASI score in patients with type Ⅳ melasma was 63.9%. Among the 30 patients, 1 case was cured, 25 cases showed obvious improved, 4 cases were improved, and no cases were ineffective, with an effective rate of 86.7% (26/30). Five patients were very satisfied, 18 patients were satisfied, 6 patients were generally satisfied, and 1 patient was dissatisfied; the patient satisfaction rate was 76.7% (23/30). No serious adverse reactions occurred in all patients.Conclusions:MSC exosome microneedle introduction is safe and effective in the treatment of melasma without serious adverse reactions.

Objective To analyze the correlation between T lymphocyte subsets,neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR),procalcitonin(PCT)and the severity of sepsis.Methods A prospective research method was adopted.A total of 78 sepsis patients admitted to the department of intensive care medicine of Zibo Central Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects.Patients were divided into a septic shock group(37 cases)and a sepsis group(41 cases)based on the severity of their condition,with 40 healthy examinees from our hospital as the healthy control group.Using flow cytometry to measure the levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes count(CD4+ T)and CD8+ T lymphocytes count(CD8+ T)in three groups of subjects,calculate the CD4+ T/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio(CD4+ T/CD8+ T)and NLR.The levels of PCT and interleukin-6(IL-6)were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay,and the levels of C-reactive protein(CRP)were measured using immunoassay turbidimetry.Acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ)score within 24 hours was recorded for the two groups of patients,and the differences in lymphocyte subsets and various inflammatory indicators were compared between the groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between various indicators and APACHEⅡscore.Results The CD4+ T,CD8+ T,and CD4+T/CD8+T levels in the septic shock and sepsis groups were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group[CD4+ T(×106/L):168.27±76.68,266.08±131.57 vs.789.60±173.78,CD8+ T(×106/L):156.50±68.37,205.81±75.60 vs.636.42±90.59,CD4+ T/CD8+ T:1.09±0.39,1.27±0.34 vs.1.44±0.38,all P<0.01],NLR,PCT,CRP and IL-6 were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group[NLR:25.85±11.62,15.94±8.72 vs.2.68±1.31,PCT(μg/L):21.82±15.28,9.09±4.96 vs.0.13±0.10,CRP(mg/L):158.65±62.33,106.97±51.49 vs.6.48±2.08,IL-6(ng/L):1 344.64±899.21,245.31±176.99 vs.3.25±1.83,all P<0.01].The APACHEⅡscore in the septic shock group was significantly higher than that in the sepsis group(32.00±1.00 vs.22.01±1.09,P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the levels of CD4+ T,CD8+ T,CD4+ T/CD8+ T in two groups of sepsis patients were negatively correlated with the APACHEⅡscore(r values were-0.571,-0.506,and-0.555,respectively,all P<0.01),while the levels of NLR,PCT,CRP,and IL-6 were positively correlated with the APACHEⅡscore(r values were 0.711,0.709,0.777,and 0.707,respectively,all P<0.01).Conclusions As the levels of T lymphocyte subsets decrease,inflammatory indicators like NLR and PCT rise,indicating a more severe sepsis condition.Therefore,T lymphocyte subsets and levels of various inflammatory indicators can serve as markers for evaluating the severity of sepsis.