BACKGROUND: While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively. RESULTS: The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge. CONCLUSION Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Psychological Distress ; Inpatients/psychology* ; Aged ; Anxiety/diagnosis* ; Depression/diagnosis*

Sophorae Flavescentis Radix is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in China, and a large amount of pharmaceutical residue generated during its processing and production is discarded as waste, which not only wastes resources but also pollutes the environment. Therefore, elucidating the chemical composition of the residue of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and the differences between the residue and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix itself is of great significance for the comprehensive utilization of the residue. This study, based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology combined with multivariate statistical methods, provides a thorough characterization, identification, and differential analysis of the overall components of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue. Firstly, 61 compounds in Sophorae Flavescentis Radix were rapidly identified based on their precise molecular weight, fragment ions, and compound abundance, using a self-constructed compound database. Among them, 41 compounds were found in the residue, mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Secondly, through principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), 15 key compounds differentiating Sophorae Flavescentis Radix from its residue were identified. These included highly polar alkaloids, such as oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine, which showed significantly reduced content in the residue, and less polar flavonoids, such as kurarinone and kuraridin, which were more abundant in the residue. In summary, this paper clarifies the overall composition, structure, and content differences between Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue, suggesting that the residue of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix can be used as a raw material for the extraction of its high-activity components, with promising potential for development and application in cosmetics and daily care. This research provides a scientific basis for the future comprehensive utilization of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Sophora/chemistry* ; Flavonoids/chemistry* ; Alkaloids/chemistry*

Objective:To investigate the impact of ginseng alcohol extract(GEE)on improving sleep quality in the aged Drosophila model by regulating the redox balance,and to elucidate its associated mechanism.Methods:Thirty-two male drosophila melanogaster(7-days-old)were randomly selected as young group,while 64 male Drosophila melanogaster flies(35-days-old)were randomly assigned to aged model group(n=32)and GEE group(n=32).The sleep parameters,including total sleep duration,daytime sleep duration,night sleep duration,0-4 h of sleep duration after lights off(ZT0-4 sleep duration),deep sleep duration,sleep episodetimes,sleep fragmentation,and the activity parameters such as the total number of locomotor activity daytime locomotor activity amount and nighttime locomotor activity amount were analyzed using the DAM2 Drosophila behavioral analysis system 7 d after administration.The grouping of the drosophila was as above,and there were 100 drosophila ineach group.The differentially expressed proteins in drosophila brain tissue were screened,identified,and functionally analyzed using two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis(2D-DIGE)and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS)proteomic methods.The grouping of the drosophila was as above,and there were 100 drosophila in each group.The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and the levels of lipid peroxidation product(MDA)in brain tissue of the drosophila were determined using assay kits.Results:Compared with young group,the total sleep duration daytime sleep duration and night sleep cluration of the drosophila in agaed group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);and the sleep rhythm amplitude was shortened.Compared with aged group,the total sleep duration and daytime and nighttime sleep durations of the drosphila in GEE group were lengthened(P<0.01).Compared with young group,the ZT0-4 sleep duration deep sleep duration and sleep fragment of the drosophila in aged group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the sleep rhythm amplitude was shortened.Compared with young group,the ZT0-4 sleep duration,deep sleep duration,and single sleep fragment of the drosphila in GEE group were significantly prolonged(P<0.01),and the sleep amplitude was increased.Compared with young group,there was no significant difference in diurnal spontaneous activity or total spontaneous activity of the drosophila in aged group(P>0.05),while the nocturnal spontaneous activity was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with aged group,the diurnal spontaneous activity,nocturnal spontaneous activity,and total spontaneous activity of the drosophila in GEE group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).A total of 47 differentially expressed proteins were selected in the 2D-DIGE electrophoretic mapping.Compared with young group,the expressions of 47 differentially expressed protein sites in aged group were down-regulated mainly including glutathione S-transferase,peroxiredoxin 1 and dihydrolipoic dehydrogenase,which were related to redox balance.Compared with young group,the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in brain tissue of the drosophila in aged group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the level of MDA was increased(P<0.01);compared with aged group,the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in brain tissue of the drosphila in GEE group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the MDA level was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:GEE has improvement effect on the sleep quality of aged drosophila,and its possible mechanism may be related to upregulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes,inhibiting the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products,and maintaining redox balance.

Objective To report the genetic analysis of a family with a fetus suspected of Ellis-van Creveld(EVC)syndrome based on ultrasound findings such as ventricular septal defect(VSD),short long bones in the limbs and polydactyly,and to conduct a literature review to clarify the pathogenic cause.Methods A 27-year-old pregnant woman,who was pregnant for the first time and had no prior deliveries,was admitted to the prenatal diagnosis center of Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in October 2021.At 17 weeks of gestation,ultrasound detected multiple fetal malformations.The genomic DNA of the fetal proband's amniotic fluid cells and the parents'peripheral blood samples were sequentially subjected to chromosomal karyotype analysis,chromosomal microarray analysis(CMA),and whole exome sequencing(WES).Suspected pathogenic mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing in the proband and its parents.Subsequently,a Minigene in vitro experiment was used to analyze one splicing mutation.Meanwhile,databases such as PubMed were searched,and literature reports were combined for genetic analysis.Results Chromosomal karyotype analysis of the fetus showed no abnormalities,and CMA did not detect any copy number variation(CNV)with clinical significance.WES results revealed two mutations in the EVC gene(NM_153717.2)of the fetus:a nonsense mutation c.1405G>T(p.E469X)in exon 10 and a splicing mutation c.1886+5G>A in intron 13.Family verification using Sanger sequencing showed that the father was a carrier of the c.1405G>T(p.E469X)mutation in exon 10,and the mother was a carrier of the c.1886+5G>A mutation in intron 13.The compound heterozygous mutation of the fetus was inherited from the parents.According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG)for classifying genetic variations,c.1405G>T(p.E469X)was classified as likely pathogenic mutation(PVS1+PM2),and c.1886+5G>A was classified as likely pathogenic mutation(PM2+PM3_Strong).The Minigene experiment results showed that the c.1886+5G>A mutation caused a 115-bp segment retention in intron 13,further supporting its pathogenicity.Review of the literature showed that the typical clinical manifestations of EVC syndrome include short limbs,short ribs,postaxial polydactyly,nail and tooth dysplasia,and congenital heart defects.Gene mutations in EVC/EVC2 were found to be the main pathogenic cause through whole exome sequencing,with mutation types including missense mutations,large-scale duplications/deletions,in-frame microdeletions,nonsense mutations,frameshift mutations,and splicing mutations.Conclusions The compound heterozygous mutations in the EVC gene are the pathogenic cause of the fetus.The detection of these mutations expands the genetic variation spectrum of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.

Objective To analyze the effect of sodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection(SCV)on four human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cell lines(SMMC-7721,Bel-7402,Huh7,and HepG2)and explore its mechanism.Methods Normal hepatic cell line L02 was treated with SCV at concentrations of 0 μmol/L(control),0.5,1,2,4,8,16,and 32 μmol/L,and the cytotoxicity of SCV on L02 cells was detected using CCK-8 assay.Human HCC cell lines(SMMC-7721,Bel-7402,Huh7,and HepG2)were cultured.SCV-untreated control group(0 μmol/L)and 2,4,and 8 μmol/L SCV-treated groups were set up.CCK-8 assay,plate cloning formation assay,Transwell assay,wound healing assay,and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of SCV on the growth and proliferation capacity,colony formation ability,invasion and migration capabilities,cell cycle,and apoptosis of the four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines,respectively.Western blotting was performed to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins,including nuclear factor kappa-B subunit p65(p65),B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2),and Caspase-3,and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanism.Results The CCK-8 assay showed that SCV at 0.5,1,2,4,and 8 μmol/L had no significant cytotoxic effect on L02 cells compared with untreated control group,so 2,4,and 8 μmol/L SCV were selected for subsequent experiments.Compared with the untreated control group(0 μmol/L),SCV at different concentrations(2,4,and 8 μmol/L)significantly inhibited the proliferation of the four HCC cell lines(P<0.001).The plate cloning formation assay showed that SCV at different concentrations(2,4,and 8 μmol/L)significantly reduced the colony formation ability of the four HCC cell lines(P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001).In addition,Transwell and wound healing assays revealed that SCV at different concentrations(2,4,and 8 μmol/L)significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of HCC cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001).In the above results,the inhibitory effect of SCV was concentration-dependent.Flow cytometry analysis indicated that SCV arrested cells in the G2/M phase(P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001)and significantly promoted cell apoptosis(P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001).Western blotting showed that SCV significantly down-regulated the expression of p65(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and Bcl-2(P<0.05),and up-regulated the expression of Caspase-3(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions SCV can significantly inhibit the proliferation,colony formation,invasion,and migration of multiple human HCC cell lines and arrest the cell cycle.SCV may inhibit the expression of p65 and Bcl-2,thereby lifting their inhibitory effect on the apoptotic pathway and activating Caspase-3 to promote apoptosis.

Xiaoke formula (XKF) is a classic formula for the treatment of insulin resistance (IR), but there is still unclear on bioactive equivalent combinatorial components (BECC) of XKF. In this study, based on the previous research of our team, three components, berberine, astragaloside IV and chlorogenic acid, were selected as the BECC of XKF, and their efficacy and mechanism were investigated. A high-fat diet-induced IR mouse model was used to detect blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, immune & inflammatory factors, etc., and staining of pathology sections was used to detect histopathological changes. Network pharmacology was used to predict the potential targets and signaling pathways of XKF and its BECC, and the results of the network were verified by Western blot. The animal welfare and experimental procedures followed the regulations of the Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Beijing MDKN Biotech Company (MDKN-2023-019). The results showed that BECC, which was composed of berberine, astragaloside IV and chlorogenic acid in the ratio of the original formula of XKF, was comparable to XKF in improving the glycemia, insulin sensitivity, histopathological damage, dyslipidemia, and immuno-inflammation in IR mice. The results of network pharmacology and Western blot suggested that the BECC of XKF and XKF might alleviate IR by promoting the activation of hepatic phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT), and inhibiting the expression of glucose-6-phosphate phosphatase (G6PC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), the key limiting enzymes of hepatic gluconeogenesis. The above results suggest that berberine, astragaloside IV and chlorogenic acid can be used as the potential BECC of XKF to improve IR, and can regulate lipid metabolism, immuno-inflammation, and promote hepatic PI3K/AKT signaling to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, regulate glucose homeostasis, and improve IR in mice.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on the motor function and mitochondrial dynamics of skeletal muscle of SAMP8 mice;To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture in improving the motor dysfunction of Alzheimer disease(AD)from the perspective of mitochondrial dynamics.Methods Totally 18 SAMP8 mice were divided into model group and electroacupuncture group,with 9 mice in each group,and the SAMR1 mice with the same age were set as control group."Baihui","Dazhui"and"Shenshu"were selected in the electroacupuncture group,and electroacupuncture was performed daily for 20 min,8 d as a course of treatment.Each course of treatment was separated by 2 d,for a total of 3 courses of treatment.The model group and the control group were not intervened.The motor function of mice was tested by grip strength test,suspension test,hind limb extension test and Morris water maze experiment.The morphology and structure of gastrocnemius were observed by HE staining,ATP content in gastrocnemius was determined by colorimetry,the mRNA expression of optic atrophy 1(OPA1),mitofusin 2(MFN2)and dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1)in gastrocnemius were detected by real-time quantitative PCR,the expressions of OPA1,MFN2 and DRP1 in gastrocnemius were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the grip strength,the score in suspension test,and the average speed and maximum speed of Morris water maze experiment of mice in model group significantly decreased(P<0.01);the arrangement of fibers in the gastrocnemius muscle tissue was disordered,the gaps become wider,and the distribution of nuclei was uneven;the ATP content in the gastrocnemius muscle tissue was significantly decreased(P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of OPA1 and MFN2 were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression of DRP1 mRNA and protein significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the grip strength,the score in suspension test,and the average speed and maximum speed of Morris water maze experiment in electroacupuncture group significantly increased(P<0.01);the arrangement of gastrocnemius muscle tissue was relatively neat,the gaps become narrower,and the distribution of nuclei was more uniform;the ATP content in gastrocnemius muscle tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expressions of OPA1 and MFN2 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expression of DRP1 mRNA and protein significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve the skeletal muscle morphological structure and motor dysfunction of SAMP8 mice,and the mechanism may be related to the correction of skeletal muscle mitochondrial dynamic imbalance and the increase of skeletal muscle ATP content.

Objective To explore the role of pulmonary surfactant(PS)combined with budesonide in improving oxygenation and clinical outcomes of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods The present study is a historically controlled trial.Infants with ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation and PS replacement therapy were collected from the neonatal unit of Southwest Medical University.Those from January 2022 to November 2022 were set as intervention group(PS+ budesonid,n=35),treated with intratracheal instillation of a mixed suspension of budesonide(0.25 mg/kg)and PS(200 mg/kg),and continuous budesonide nebulization(0.25 mg/kg,twice per day)until withdrawal,then compared with a historical cohort,who just received intratracheal instillation of PS(200 mg/kg)(January 2020-December 2021,PS group,n=35).Baseline data such as gender,mode of delivery,1 min and 5 min Apgar score,birth weight,gestational age,time of onset,and cause of onset were recorded in both groups.The oxygenation and clinical outcomes of infants were compared between the two groups,including:(1)Arterial blood gas analysis indicators,such as partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)and oxygenation index(OI)before treatment and at 6,12 and 24 hours of treatment;(2)Clinical observation and evaluation indicators,such as the time to withdrawal,duration of oxygen supplementation,length of stay,improvement of the radiological images of the lungs at 72 h of treatment,and repeated PS use;(3)Blood chemistry indicators,such as white blood cell(WBC),neutrocyte(NEU),procalcitonin(PCT)before treatment and at 3 and 7 days of treatment;and(4)Observation indicators of complications,weight growth,and mortality outcomes,such as the incidences of intracranial hemorrhage,gastrointestinal hemorrhage,neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC),and hyperglycemia,weight growth,and fatality rate.Results The differences in baseline data between the two groups were not statistically different(P＞0.05).The levels of PaO2 of the two groups were increased after treatment for different time periods,while the levels of OI were decreased(P＜0.001),and the levels of above indexes changed more significantly in PS+budesonide group than those in PS group(P＜0.05).The time to withdrawal,duration of oxygen supplementation,and length of stay in PS+budesonide group were shorter than those in PS group;the radiological images of the lungs showed that the pulmonary inflammation absorption was significantly better in PS+ budesonide group than that in PS group,while no significant difference between the two groups of infants with repeated PS use.The NEU was significantly higher in PS+budesonide group than in PS group at 3 d and 7 d of treatment(P＜0.001);and at 3 days of treatment,the PCT levels were significantly lower in PS+budesonide group than that in PS group(P＜0.05).The incidences of intracranial hemorrhage,gastrointestinal hemorrhage,NEC,hyperglycemia,weight growth,and fatality rate were not significantly different between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The use of budesonide in addition to surfactant may improve the oxygenation of neonates with ARDS,improve the inflammatory infiltrates in lungs,shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation,and without short-term complications associated with budesonide use.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 954 cases of central nervous system(CNS)infections in Chongqing.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 954 patients with CNS infectious disease diagnosed and treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from 2008 to 2021.The analysis encompassed pathogens,patient gender,age of onset,time of onset,urban-rural distribution,education level,occupational distribution,and other epidemiological characteristics.The clinical manifestations,the positive rate of metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS),and prognosis were also analyzed.Results Among the 945 cases of CNS infectious diseases,the pathogens were viruses in 393(41.2%),Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 361(37.8%),other bacteria in 108(11.3%),Cryptococcus in 75(7.9%),Treponema pallidum in 16(1.7%)and parasites in 1(0.1%).The number of CNS infection cases from 2015 to 2021 increased by 85.6%compared with that from 2008 to 2014(620 vs.334,P<0.001).There was no significant difference in seasonal distribution of pathogens(P>0.05).CNS infectious diseases were more prevalent in rural areas(58.0%,P<0.001),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1.0,and a higher incidence in individuals aged between 35 and 60 years.The majority of patients were educated at Junior high school level or below(68.7%)and were farmers or workers(68.1%).Clinical symptoms of CNS infectious disease mainly included fever,headache,signs of meningeal irritation,nausea and vomiting,which could be accompanied by consciousness disorder and focal neurological deficits.mNGS significantly improves the accuracy of clinical diagnosis.The rate of good prognosis of CNS infectious diseases was 97.5%,while the mortality rate was 0.3%.Conclusions In Chongqing area,the categories and species of CNS infectious pathogens are diverse,widely prevalent,and the clinical manifestations are complex.Moreover,the number of cases has been increasing in recent years.Understanding the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of CNS infectious diseases can help to recognize the regional differences,promote early accurate diagnosis and treatment,and improve prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the bioequivalence and safety of ezetimibe tablets in healthy Chinese subjects.Methods The study was designed as a single-center,randomized,open-label,two-period,two-way crossover,single-dose trail.Subjects who met the enrollment criteria were randomized into fasting administration group and postprandial administration group and received a single oral dose of 10 mg of the subject presparation of ezetimibe tablets or the reference presparation per cycle.The blood concentrations of ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide conjugate were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS),and the bioequivalence of the 2 preparations was evaluated using the WinNonlin 7.0 software.Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated to evaluate the bioequivalence of the 2 preparations.The occurrence of all adverse events was also recorded to evaluate the safety.Results The main pharmacokinetic parameters of total ezetimibe in the plasma of the test and the reference after a single fasted administration:Cmax were(118.79±35.30)and(180.79±51.78)nmol·mL-1;tmax were 1.40 and 1.04 h;t1/2 were(15.33±5.57)and(17.38±7.24)h;AUC0-t were(1 523.90±371.21)and(1 690.99±553.40)nmol·mL-1·h;AUC0-∞ were(1 608.70±441.28),(1 807.15±630.00)nmol·mL-1·h.The main pharmacokinetic parameters of total ezetimibe in plasma of test and reference after a single meal:Cmax were(269.18±82.94)and(273.93±87.78)nmol·mL-1;Tmax were 1.15 and 1.08 h;t1/2 were(22.53±16.33)and(16.02±5.84)h;AUC0_twere(1 463.37±366.03),(1 263.96±271.01)nmol·mL-1·h;AUC0-∞ were(1 639.01±466.53),(1 349.97±281.39)nmol·mL-1·h.The main pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax,AUC0-tand AUC0-∞ of the two preparations were analyzed by variance analysis after logarithmic transformation.In the fasting administration group,the 90％CI of the log-transformed geometric mean ratios were within the bioequivalent range for the remaining parameters in the fasting dosing group,except for the Cmax of ezetimibe and total ezetimibe,which were below the lower bioequivalent range.The Cmax of ezetimibe,ezetimibe-glucuronide,and total ezetimibe in the postprandial dosing group was within the equivalence range,and the 90％CI of the remaining parameters were not within the equivalence range for bioequivalence.Conclusion This test can not determine whether the test preparation and the reference preparation of ezetimibe tablets have bioequivalence,and further clinical trials are needed to verify it.