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

The antidepressant activity and molecular mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil were investigated. The Yueju Wan volatile oil was extracted by using supercritical CO_2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with network pharmacology identified 28 chemical constituents in Yueju Wan volatile oil, primarily terpenes and lactones. A total of 123 overlapping targets were associated with depression, including core targets of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and caspase-3(CASP3). These targets were mainly involved in the prolactin, advanced glycation end products/receptor(AGE/RAGE), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. A reserpine-induced depression mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil. The effects of Yueju Wan volatile oil on depression-like behavior in mice were evaluated by analyzing body mass, body temperature index, tail suspension immobility time, forced swimming immobility time, and sucrose preference. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining revealed neuronal protection of Yueju Wan volatile oil in the brain of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expression of AGEs, IL-1β, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Behavioral evaluation showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could effectively control the decline of body mass and body temperature of depressed mice, reduce tail suspension and swimming immobility time, and enhance their preference for sucrose. Histopathological examination showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could alleviate the neuronal damage in CA1 and dentate gyrus(DG) of the hippocampus of mice. ELISA and Western blot results showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could significantly increase the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and BDNF and significantly decrease the protein expression levels of AGEs, IL-1β, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios were significantly decreased at medium and high doses. These findings suggest that the aromatherapy of Yueju Wan volatile oil can significantly improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior in mice, which may be related to reducing the expression of neuronal membrane protein AGEs, reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibiting NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and alleviating the release of pro-inflammatory factors and nerve injury.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents/chemistry* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology* ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Depression/metabolism* ; Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology* ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of in vitro cultured calculus bovis (ICCB) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) and its mechanism. METHODS: A CIRI rat model and a cell model were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in Sprague Dawley rats and oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in BV2 cells, respectively. The CIRI rat model was evaluated using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS), brain water content, and cerebral infarction volume after 1.5 h of ischemia followed by 72 h of reperfusion. Histopathological changes in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Microglial polarization and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome expression in the cortex were examined by immunofluorescence. BV2 cell viability was measured via MTT assay after treatment with ICCB and Nigericin. The expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 proteins and inflammatory cytokines were detected with Western blotting in OGD/R treated BV2 cells (0.5 h OGD+24 h reperfusion) and in cells pretreated with Nigericin for 24 h. RESULTS: ICCB treatment significantly improved neurological function, reduced cerebral infarct volume and brain water content, and mitigated pathological damage in the cortical and hippocampal CA1 regions of rats subjected to CIRI (all P<0.05). ICCB promoted the transition of cortical microglia from M1 to M2 phenotypes and suppressed NLRP3 activation in microglial cells (all P<0.01). ICCB significantly down-regulated the expression of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 proteins, and reduced the secretion of IL-18 and IL-1β in BV2 cells of OGD/R model (all P<0.01). In addition, Nigericin significantly reversed the salvage effect of ICCB on model cells (both P<0.01) and the modulation of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS ICCB exerts a protective effect against CIRI by mitigating neuroinflammation, through the reduction of M1 microglial polarization, promotion of M2 conversion, and suppression of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Rats ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Male

In recent years, minimally invasive technology has been at the forefront of advancing various disciplines due to its unique advantages. With the development of endoscopic techniques, low-temperature plasma technology, and balloon dilation methods, the application of minimally invasive surgery in pediatric otolaryngology has increased significantly in clinical practice. The primary objective of minimally invasive techniques is to preserve normal anatomical structures as much as possible, reduce tissue damage associated with surgery, lower surgical risks, accelerate postoperative recovery, and achieve surgical outcomes that are comparable to or even better than those obtained through conventional procedures. In the future, the development of minimally invasive surgery must be aimed at pursuing the maximum benefit for patients, and operations will be more scientific, functional, comfortable, and diversified. The author believes that the development of minimally invasive surgery is inseparable from multidisciplinary cooperation, including clinicians, engineers, and other professionals in different fields. Only by working together can we jointly promote the development of minimally invasive surgery technology and provide patients with more accurate, efficient, and safe treatment options.
Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Child ; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases/surgery* ; Endoscopy ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures/methods*

Objective:To explore the causes and preventive measures of respiratory arrest following general anesthesia in children with obstructive sleep apnea （OSA）, in order to enhance the safety of OSA surgeries under general anesthesia. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and follow-up data of four pediatric cases that experienced respiratory arrest after general anesthesia for OSA at Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University from March 2020 to March 2022. Results:All four children exhibited varying degrees of decreased blood oxygen saturation, cyanosis, and loss of consciousness after OSA surgery under general anesthesia, with one case experiencing respiratory and cardiac arrest. Through emergency rescue measures such as oxygen supplementation, suctioning, positive pressure ventilation, awakening, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, all four children were stabilized. Follow-up after 2 to 6 months showed no complications. The main reasons for the occurrence are analyzed as: residual anesthetic drugs, characteristics of the OSA disease, and the unique aspects of the pediatric population. Conclusion:Children undergoing general anesthesia for OSA should be closely monitored for vital signs after surgery. If respiratory suppression occurs, active rescue measures should be taken to avoid serious consequences.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/surgery* ; Anesthesia, General/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool

This case report outlines the treatment of an 11-year-old female who underwent adenotonsillectomy six years ago for snoring but experienced postoperative inefficacy. Her symptoms worsened two weeks before readmission, with increased snoring and sleep apnea, disabling her from lying down to sleep. She was readmitted on December 1, 2023, and diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and hypercapnia. Automatic BiPAP alleviated her symptoms, with sleep breathing parameters normalizing during treatment. Follow-up at one month showed significant acceleration in her growth and resolution of her hypersomnolence issue.
Humans ; Female ; Child ; Hypercapnia/complications* ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/complications* ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Noninvasive Ventilation

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy （DISE） is an endoscopic examination performed under conditions similar to human physiological sleep induced by drugs. In recent years, its clinical application has become increasingly widespread. This article reviews the research progress on the indications, anesthesia, and outcome determination of pediatric DISE, providing a basis for the application of pediatric DISE.
Humans ; Child ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Sleep

Objective:To study whether the auditory rehabilitation effect and quality of life of elderly patients have improved after cochlear implantation. Methods:Selected 36 elderly deafness patients over 60 years during the period January 2020 to December 2022, After exclusion of surgical contraindications, a minimally invasive cochlear implant was performed. Using the auditory behavior grading-Ⅱ（CAP-Ⅱ）, the Nijmegen cochlear implant scale（NCIQ）, the scores of preoperative, postoperative 6 months and postoperative 18 months of cochlear implantation in 36 elderly deafness patients were collected through questionnaire survey, and statistical analysis was conducted, compare the auditory ability and quality of life of elderly patients after cochlear implantation. Results:The preoperative score of CAP-Ⅱ （2.50±0.85） and the total score of NCIQ （23.73±2.12）; the CAP-Ⅱ score at the sixth postoperative month was （4.39±1.02） and the NCIQ total table score （40.55±3.52）. The CAP-Ⅱ score at the eighteen postoperative months was （5.97±1.28）, NCIQ total table （57.36±4.02）, and the highest score. Statistically significant difference per group（P<0.05）. Conclusion:After cochlear implantation in elderly patients with deafness, their auditory ability, basic sound perception, social ability, self-confidence and other quality of life were significantly improved.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Aged ; Quality of Life ; Cochlear Implants ; Middle Aged ; Deafness/surgery* ; Postoperative Period ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Male ; Female ; Treatment Outcome

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a globally life-threatening disease. Presently, few therapeutic medicines are available for treating IS, and rt-PA is the only drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. In fact, many agents showing excellent neuroprotection but no blood flow-improving activity in animals have not achieved ideal clinical efficacy, while thrombolytic drugs only improving blood flow without neuroprotection have limited their wider application. To address these challenges and meet the huge unmet clinical need, we have designed and identified a novel compound AAPB with dual effects of neuroprotection and cerebral blood flow improvement. AAPB significantly reduced cerebral infarction and neural function deficit in tMCAO rats, pMCAO rats, and IS rhesus monkeys, as well as displayed exceptional safety profiles and excellent pharmacokinetic properties in rats and dogs. AAPB has now entered phase I of clinical trials fighting IS in China.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.