Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel sleep-aid decoction in treating elderly insomnia patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types, and its effects on neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels. Methods A total of 200 patients with four different TCM constitutions-peaceful, Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient-were recruited. Peripheral blood neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels were measured for variations among insomnia patients across different constitutions. These patients were treated using the novel sleep-aid decoction, the effects of which were evaluated based on changes in neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors. Results Compared to the peaceful constitution group, insomnia patients with Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient constitutions exhibited significantly elevated baseline levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT, GABA) and inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP). Following the treatment, the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient groups showed a marked increase in 5-HT levels, restored balance of Glu, GABA, and melatonin, and significant reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The overall effective rate was 83.5%, with optimal efficacy observed in the Qi-deficient (97.72%) and Yin-deficient (95.34%) groups. Conclusion The novel sleep-aid decoction is effective in treating insomnia in elderly patients, with the best results observed in the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient constitution groups.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical/therapeutic use* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/blood* ; Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the relationship between different body position fixation tech-niques,umbilical plane volume change(ΔV),body weight change rate(ΔW%),and radiotherapy setup errors in cervical cancer patients,and to provide recommendations for determining the margin of planning target vol-ume(MPTV).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 57 cervical cancer pa-tients who underwent radiotherapy at this hospital from June 2022 to May 2023.Patients were divided into the observation group(fixed with body membrane+thermoplastic pad,n=24)and the control group(fixed with body membrane alone,n=33)based on different positioning fixation methods.They were also further strati-fied by median BMI into BMI≥23.82 kg/m2 and BMI<23.82 kg/m2 patients.Setup errors in the left-right(X),cranio-caudal(Y),and anterior-posterior(Z)directions were recorded.Meanwhile,the umbilical plane volume on the first CT positioning image and the patient's body weight before positioning were recorded,as well as umbilical plane volume of cone-beam CT(CBCT)verification images during weekly radiotherapy and body weight before scan,the ΔV and ΔW%were calculated.Setup errors were compared between two groups,and correlations between ΔV,ΔW%and setup errors were analyzed in all patients,in two groups(the obser-vation group and the control group)and in two BMI subgroups.MPTV values in X,Y,and Z directions were calculated,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve determined the cut off values of ΔV and ΔW%when setup errors met the department's MPTV criteria.Results Compared with the control group,the ob-servation group showed significantly smaller setup errors in X,Y,and Z directions(P<0.05).Both ΔV and ΔW%were positively correlated with setup errors in X and Y direction in all patients,patients in the control group,and patients with BMI≥23.82 kg/m2(P<0.05).In the observation group,ΔW%was positively corre-lated with setup errors in Z direction in patients with BMI<23.82 kg/m2(P<0.05);In the control group,ΔV and ΔW%were positively correlated with setup errors in X and Y direction in patients with BMI≥23.82 kg/m2.ROC curve analysis showed that when setup errors in Y direction reached the department's MPTV criteria(8.41 mm),the cutoff values ΔV and ΔW%were 8.045 cm2 and 4.12%,respectively.Conclusion The body membrane+thermoplastic pad fixation technique reduces setup errors and mitigates the impact of ΔV and ΔW%on setup errors in X and Y directions.When ΔV or ΔW%exceeds the cutoff values,increasing CBCT verification frequency and re-fabricating the body membrane are recommended.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix on androgenic alopecia （AGA） and study the treatment mechanism. MethodNinety-nine SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control， model， positive drug （finasteride， 0.65 mg·kg^-1）， low （0.78 g·kg^-1）， medium （1.56 g·kg^-1）， and high （3.12 g·kg^-1）-dose stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix， and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata groups by the random number table method. The mouse model of AGA was constructed by subcutaneous multi-point injection of testosterone propionate diluent for 60 days， and the mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage from day 11. The therapeutic effects of stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata on AGA were evaluated by newly hair area， hair length， hair weight in the hair removal area， and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of testosterone （T）， dihydrotestosterone （DHT）， and 5α-reductase （5-AR） in the skin tissue of mice. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of key proteins in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group （after 60 days of modeling） showed reductions in the newly hair area， hair length and weight in the back hair removal area， and ratio of hair follicles containing melanin to total hair follicles （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated levels of T， DHT， and 5-AR， up-regulated expression level of glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β） （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression levels of β-catenin， phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3β （p-GSK-3β）， and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the skin tissue. Compared with the model group， the positive drug， low-， medium-， and high-dose stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata improved the newly hair area and hair length of mice （P<0.01）， and stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata at low and medium doses improved the weight of newly formed hair in mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The positive drug， low-， medium-， and high-dose stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix， and low- and high-dose Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata increased the ratio of hair follicles containing melanin to total hair follicles in the skin tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata at the same doses， the medium and high doses of stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix increased the ratio of melanin-containing hair follicles to total hair follicles （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， stewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix lowered the levels of T and DHT， down-regulated the expression level of GSK-3β （P<0.01）， and up-regulated the expression levels of β-catenin， p-GSK-3β， and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the skin tissue of the mice. ConclusionStewed Polygoni Multiflori Radix can ameliorate androgenic alopecia in mice by reducing the androgen level and promoting Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

According to the World Health Organization's world report on hearing, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide will suffer from hearing loss by 2050, which may contribute to a severe impact on individual life quality and national economies. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs commonly as a result of noise exposure, aging, and ototoxic drugs, and is pathologically characterized by the impairment of mechanosensory hair cells of the inner ear, which is mainly triggered by reactive oxygen species accumulation, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Though recent advances have been made in understanding the ability of cochlear repair and regeneration, there are still no effective therapeutic drugs for SNHL. Chinese herbal medicine which is widely distributed and easily accessible in China has demonstrated a unique curative effect against SNHL with higher safety and lower cost compared with Western medicine. Herein we present trends in research for Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of SNHL, and elucidate their molecular mechanisms of action, to pave the way for further research and development of novel effective drugs in this field.

Objective:To investigate the influence of changes in the cognitive load of anesthesia residents on the teaching effectiveness of high-fidelity scenario simulation.Methods:Eighty-seven anesthesia residents in a grade-A tertiary hospital from February to November 2022 were divided into groups A, B, and C according to the random number method. Three cases were selected from the anesthesia crisis resource teaching case library for high-fidelity simulation training for the three groups, respectively, using the crossover design to control the order of the cases. Each round of training consisted of pre-training instruction, simulation teaching, and post-training summarization and analysis. After three rounds of simulation teaching, cognitive load, anxiety status, test scores, and non-technical skills were evaluated for all the study participants. SPSS 20.0 was used to perform analysis of variance with repeated measures and Pearson's correlation analysis.Results:All the three groups showed significantly higher cognitive load and anxiety scores during the first-round simulation training than during the second-round and third-round simulation trianing. The test scores were significantly lower in the first round [(87.07±5.66), (88.38±5.41), (89.07±6.17)] than in the second round [(95.69±2.29), (96.10±2.08), (96.07±2.60)] and the third round [(96.34±1.45), (96.38±1.50), (96.17±1.73); all P<0.05]. The non-technical skill scores were also significantly lower in the first round [(37.24±7.58), (38.69±7.27), (39.24±8.74)] than in the second round [(46.17±5.55), (47.07±5.59), (47.59±6.74)] and the third round [(47.17±5.21), (48.48±5.38), (48.24±6.83); all P<0.05]. For simulations with the same cases, the trainees showed significantly higher cognitive load and anxiety scores and significantly lower test scores and non-technical skill scores in the first round than in the second and third rounds ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Anesthesia residents have higher levels of cognitive load and anxiety in the first scenario simulation training, which can reduce learning outcomes, and repeated simulation training can reduce trainees' cognitive load and anxiety.

Objective:To explore the effect of discharge preparation service based on timing theory on the care readiness and benefit finding of caregivers for elderly dementia patients.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2022, 100 caregivers of elderly dementia patients from the Neurology Department and Rehabilitation Department of Jingjiang People's Hospital were selected as the subject by convenient sampling. Caregivers were divided into a control group and a study group based on their enrollment time, with 50 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing, while the study group was treated with discharge preparation services based on timing theory. The effect was evaluated using the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) and Caregiver Benefit Finding Questionnaire.Results:After intervention, the CPS score of the study group was (22.80±2.83), which was higher than the control group's (17.92±2.60), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). After three months of discharge, the score of the Caregiver Benefit Finding Questionnaire in the study group was (117.50±6.25), which was higher than the control group's (109.98±9.89), and the difference was also statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The discharge preparation service based on timing it right can improve the care readiness and benefit finding of caregivers for elderly dementia patients.

Objective This study was to explore factors related to early radial artery occlusion(RAO)associated transradial approach(TRA).Methods Patients who underwent the TRA from July 2021 to Jan 2024 were included in our study.Patients were divided into radial artery occlusion group and non-radial artery occlusion group.The data of general demography,the number of radial artery punctures attempts,and whether add heparin to the Antispasmodic Agents were recorded to assess the incidence and predictors of RAO.Results A total of 543 patients were included in the study.All patients underwent ultrasound evaluation 24h after DSA.Among them,32 cases experienced RAO,while 511 cases did not experienced RAO.The occurrence rate of RAO was significantly higher in patients without addition of heparin to the antispasmodic agents for the prevention of radial artery spasm,those with more than 3 radial artery puncture attempts and those using either an 11 cm short sheath,or Cordis puncture needles(all P<0.05).Multiple logistic analysis showed that addition of heparin to the Antispasmodic Agents(OR=0.076,95% CI:0.018～0.321,P<0.001),less than 3 radial artery puncture attempts(OR=0.245,95% CI:0.111～0.541,P<0.001),using an 16 cm longer sheath(OR=0.195,95% CI:0.067～0.564,P=0.003),using an Terumo puncture needles(OR=0.325,95% CI:0.148～0.717,P=0.005)could reduce the incidence of RAO.Conclusions Anticoagulation with intrathecal heparin,application of trocar to improve the success rate of puncture,and the use of a 16 cm long sheath can significantly reduce the incidence of early RAO after DSA.

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of performing neurointerventional diagnosis and treatment via left distal transradial access(dTRA)or via left transradial access(TRA).Methods The clinical data of patients,who received selective cerebral angiography or neurointerventional treatment using right/left dTRA/TRA at the Fudan Zhongshan Xiamen Branch Hospital of China between January 2022 and December 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical data including the basic information(including age,gender,diseases,etc.)and the clinical records(including operation mode,operative approach,X-ray fluoroscopy time,puncture-related complications,etc.)were collected.Results A total of 32 patients,who underwent neurointerventional treatment by using left dTRA/TRA approach(left-side group),were enrolled in this study.Among them 11 patients received selective cerebral angiography and 21 patients(having left-sided vertebrobasilar artery disease)received neurointerventional treatment.Other 49 patients,who underwent neurointerventional treatment by using right dTRA/TRA approach(right-side group)during the same period were also included in this study.Among them 19 patients received selective cerebral angiography and 30 patients(having right-sided vertebrobasilar artery disease)received neurointerventional treatment.Angiography reexamination was performed in the patients who had previously received treatment and all of them suffered from endovascular diseases of the anterior circulation system.All angiography and neurointerventional procedures were successfully accomplished with no occurrence of serious complications.In left-side group,4 patients changed to adopt TRA approach to complete the neurointerventional treatment,2 patients changed to adopt TFA approach to complete the neurointerventional treatment,and one patient changed to adopt TFA approach to complete the procedure due to vascular tortuosity of left dTRA.In patients receiving angiography,4 patients changed to adopt left TRA approach and 3 patients failed to complete the elective right subclavian artery catheterization.In patients receiving neurointerventional treatment,2 patients developed postoperative local bruising at the distal radial artery puncture point.Postoperative color ultrasound reexamination showed that there was no radial artery occlusion in all patients receiving angiography or neurointerventional treatment.In right-side group,among the patients receiving neurointerventional treatment,4 patients changed to adopt right TRA approach and 2 patients changed to adopt right TFA;among the patients receiving angiography,4 patients changed to adopt right TRA approach,and bilateral common carotid arteries and bilateral subclavian arteries catheterization were successfully accomplished in all patients;3 patients developed postoperative local bruising at the distal radial artery puncture point.Postoperative color ultrasound reexamination showed that there was no radial artery occlusion in all patients receiving angiography or neurointerventional treatment.No statistically significant differences in the success rate of distal radial artery puncture,intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy time,catheterization success rate of 4 main vessels(including right common carotid artery,left common carotid artery,right subclavian artery and left subclavian artery),and incidence of postoperative puncture point complications existed between the two groups(all P＞0.05).Conclusion It is clinically safe and feasible to adopt left dTRA/TRA approach for performing selective cerebral angiography and neurointerventional treatment.

Antibody-drug conjugates(ADCs)are commonly heterogeneous and require extensive assessment of exposure-efficacy and exposure-safety relationships in preclinical and clinical studies.In this study,we report the generation of a monoclonal antibody against monomethyl auristatin E(MMAE)and the development,validation,and application of sensitive and high-throughput enzyme-linked immunosor-bent assays(ELISA)to measure the concentrations of MMAE-conjugated ADCs and total antibodies(tAb,antibodies in ADC plus unconjugated antibodies)in cynomolgus monkey sera.These assays were suc-cessfully applied to in vitro plasma stability and pharmacokinetic(PK)studies of SMADC001,an MMAE-conjugated ADC against trophoblast cell surface antigen 2(TROP-2).The plasma stability of SMADC001 was better than that of similar ADCs coupled with PEG4-Val-Cit,Lys(m-dPEG24)-Cit,and Val-Cit linkers.The developed ELISA methods for the calibration standards of ADC and tAb revealed a correlation be-tween serum concentrations and the OD450 values,with R2 at 1.000,and the dynamic range was 0.3-35.0 ng/mL and 0.2-22.0 ng/mL,respectively;the intra-and inter-assay accuracy bias％ranged from-12.2％to-5.2％,precision ranged from-12.4％to-1.4％,and the relative standard deviation(RSD)was less than 6.6％and 8.7％,respectively.The total error was less than 20.4％.The development and validation steps of these two assays met the acceptance criteria for all addressed validation parameters,which suggested that these can be applied to quantify MMAE-conjugated ADCs,as well as in PK studies.Furthermore,these assays can be easily adopted for development of other similar immunoassays.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS). METHODS: The child has featured poikeloderma, short stature, cataract, sparse hair and skeletal malformation. Peripheral blood samples of the child and her family members were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The child was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the RECQL4 gene, namely c.1048_1049delAG and c.2886-1G>A, among which c.2886-1G>A was unreported previously. According to the ACMG guidelines, the c.1048_1049delAG was predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM3_Strong+PM2), while the c.2886-1G>A was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PVS1+PM2). CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants of the RECQL4 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of RTS in this patient. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the RECQL4 gene.
Child ; Family ; Female ; Humans ; Mutation ; RecQ Helicases/genetics* ; Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing